Used to be, I see a snake, I yell for my husband or son..But what to do when I don't have that option? I have killed several snakes the years past by shooting them lol. I didn't have to get close. Monday my geese were getting pretty loud. And then Sadie began to bark, wanting in with the geese. I looked out to see all but one goose was out of the shed where the nests were and one large male left in was spreading his wings and squawking and hissing. I made my way out there to find a large, at least 6 foot snake with its mouth trying to fit around a goose egg. I didn't bring anything with me.. (I know..not smart) So I grabbed that snake by the tail and yanked him out of the shed and tossed him. I looked around for something to dispatch him with while he quickly tried to make himself scarce. I found an iron rod in a pile near the goose pen and went on the hunt. I found the snake under our push mower in the mower shed. I quickly made that snake regret trying to eat one of my goose eggs. The geese were once again settled and Sadie was relaxed.
At feeding time I headed out telling Sadie, " Let's go to work" and she follows me around. I heard the desperate chirp of a chick in trouble. I followed the sound to a water bucket with a little chick bobbing up and down. I grabbed her out and tried to dry her off best I could with my shirt tail. I sent her on her way with mom, who was close by squawking for her, but baby was too wobbly and still too wet. I scooped her up and she was shivering. So I cupped her in my hand and blew hot air on her until she chirp of doom went to a purr of sorts. Then I stuffed her in my shirt pockets and finished night feeding. By the time I was done, the chick was dry and mom was still calling her..so I put her down and mom quickly gathered her under her. Next morning, there they were in the barn all dry and cozy. We usually steal all but one chick from moms who hatch a brood, to help survival rates. We don't purposely miss nests, but it happens and letting the moms raise their own usually ends badly for most if not all the chicks. So we set up a brooder trough, with clean bedding, chick food, water and heat light. But this year we didn't prepare. And we have lost two flocks of chicks. Currently a mom of 9 now has 3. I just didn't want more work, but i found two more nest that have been sat on for a while, so I will go clean that brooder trough, add clean bedding, a clean food dish and water dish and working light. I will be prepared to save as many as we can. I don't need more chickens, but I cant handle knowing we will send these little ones off to their doom either. I believe we also have turkeys laying, and know we will need to rescue any hthat hatch. AND to top things up, a rooster was dumped out here, which we need to catch and dr his leg...Never a dull moment on the farm!
At feeding time I headed out telling Sadie, " Let's go to work" and she follows me around. I heard the desperate chirp of a chick in trouble. I followed the sound to a water bucket with a little chick bobbing up and down. I grabbed her out and tried to dry her off best I could with my shirt tail. I sent her on her way with mom, who was close by squawking for her, but baby was too wobbly and still too wet. I scooped her up and she was shivering. So I cupped her in my hand and blew hot air on her until she chirp of doom went to a purr of sorts. Then I stuffed her in my shirt pockets and finished night feeding. By the time I was done, the chick was dry and mom was still calling her..so I put her down and mom quickly gathered her under her. Next morning, there they were in the barn all dry and cozy. We usually steal all but one chick from moms who hatch a brood, to help survival rates. We don't purposely miss nests, but it happens and letting the moms raise their own usually ends badly for most if not all the chicks. So we set up a brooder trough, with clean bedding, chick food, water and heat light. But this year we didn't prepare. And we have lost two flocks of chicks. Currently a mom of 9 now has 3. I just didn't want more work, but i found two more nest that have been sat on for a while, so I will go clean that brooder trough, add clean bedding, a clean food dish and water dish and working light. I will be prepared to save as many as we can. I don't need more chickens, but I cant handle knowing we will send these little ones off to their doom either. I believe we also have turkeys laying, and know we will need to rescue any hthat hatch. AND to top things up, a rooster was dumped out here, which we need to catch and dr his leg...Never a dull moment on the farm!